A^THI^ETIC trlBRARir 



Auxiliary Series 



,/) m. 



CROQUET 



Rules of the Game 



AND 



OF^FICIAL LAWS 

British Croquet Association 




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Spalding's Athletic Library 



CROQUET 



Rules of the Game 

Official Laws 
British Croquet Association 



Published by 

American Sports Publishing Company 

21 Warren Street, New York 






x^'^ 



Copyright. 1920 

BY 

Ahsricam Sports Publishing Company 
Mbw York 



C1A567106 



'^Af^ lo i9^U 



PUBLISHERS' NOTICE 



The rules of Croquet as published herein are 
laken from Spalding's Athletic Library, No. 43R, 
"LAWN SPORTS," which contains in detail 
numerous games and their playing rules, most 
appropriate for outdoor pastime. 

It comprises the games of Roque, showing 
diagrams of difficult shots which also can be used 
in the game of Croquet; Archery, Clock-Golf, 
Golf-Croquet, Tether Ball, Garden Hockey, Lawn 
Hockey, Volley Ball, Pin Ball, Basket Goal, Bad- 
minton, Hand Tennis, Hand Polo, Wicket Polo 
and Drawing Room Hockey. Price 25 cents. 



PLAN OF CROQUET COURT. 

For dimensions see "The Court," Page 46. See also Rule 40. 



Lower Stake 




30 
in. 



HOME ^ 8TAK6. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIDRART 41 



CROQUET AND ITS RULES 



Croquet is a comparatively modern game. It has not the 
weight of years on its side to increase love and regard for it. 

The name seems to indicate France as its origin, and il is said 
to have been brought from there to Ireland, thence to England. 

Public match games were played in England as long ago as 
1867. As a lawn game it became exceedingly popular, and the 
formation of the "All England Croquet Club" was succeeded by 
several annual contests for championship at Wimbledon. 

It has been even growing in favor of late years in England, 
judging from the formation of clubs and the public contests in 
different parts of the country, schedules of which are carefully 
published at the beginning of each season, thus eliciting a wide- 
spread and increasing interest in the game. 

LEADING FEATURES OF CROQUET. 

One of the strong points about Croquet is the ease with which 
the game can be established. Almost every home in village or 
country has some grass plot large enough and level enough for 
a goodly place to set out the game. One can readily see that 
no elaboration is needed. Mark the boundaries by a strong 
white cotton cord, drive the stakes and set the arches with some 
little regard for precision (See cut opposite) and the ground is 
ready. The lawn should, of course, be closely shaven and rolled, 
and to prevent the grass from disappearing utterly in certain 
places where progress is most difficult and the wear consequently 
the greater, each setting out of the game may be in a different 
place. 

As a test for good temper, forbearance and fairness no other 
game, we believe, to be superior to Croquet. It is the little 
amenities of life that count largely in any system of play or 
business. These add a flavor and produce results along char- 



42 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

acter lines. To win is sometimes the crowning ambition. But 
with it frequently goes a lack of modesty and an increasing 
regard for self that destroys the possibilities of development 
of finer things. It does not require the handling of immense 
sums of money or the entrance upon large business enterprises 
to find out the good qualities or the opposite of your associates. 
And we may be pardoned from our long experience in connec- 
tion with Croquet (sometimes in closest competition for na- 
tional honors, more frequently, however, with the friendly tilt, 
keen and close, between rival experts) if we drop this word of 
caution to beginners. Let every movement be one of fairness 
and honor. Let your adherence to the rules be observed in all 
cases of even the greatest interest. Let not self-interest mount 
so high as to warp your judgment and let the little acts of 
comity and courtesy be sprinkled in between even the most 
difficult plays, so as to realize outside of and away from what 
any expertness may bring, the richer fruits of pleasant, though 
rivaling, companionship. 

We have known characters vastly improve by courteous com- 
panionship and prevailing geniality on the Croquet ground. The 
old-fashioned wordy strifes and contentions, cherishing and con- 
tinuing ill feeling, are now unknown and aside from any bene- 
ficial physical advantages these features must also be regarded in 
taking stock of the benefits of Croquet. 

There is in the game of Croquet a great opportunity for dis- 
playing one's ability, judgment, nerve, coolness and boldness of 
play. A valuable discipline comes to the eye in connection with 
the movements of the hand. But the game of Croquet is peculiar. 

In a game like base ball, or lawn tennis, mere quickness is 
sometimes the great desideratum. But the deliberation that caa 
be manifested in Croquet has hardly a parallel in the entire 
round of athletic sports. 

GOOD INSTRUCTION NEEDED. 
At the very beginning there should be selected and secured, if 
possible, some good instructor and player combined (not every 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 43 

good player is a good instructor) so that the tyro may start 
right. "Well begun is half done." The correct position, the 
proper methods or lines of play, the niv;e points of the rules ; 
all these should, if possible, be taught by some suitable person 
so that progress may be more rapid and results all along the 
line be more satisfactory. We would like to re-emphasize this 
point in the matter of instruction. It is absolutely essential. 
Every kindred game and every study in any branch of learning 
and science point to the necessity of excellent instruction at the 
very outset. 

POSITION IN STRIKING. 
Many different positions are assumed by wielders of the mallet. 
The so-called "pendulum stroke," made with two hands — the 
mallet swinging vertically between the legs well outstretched — 
has grown in favor much the last few years. As one com- 
mences so he is apt to continue. There is much reason in 
using the pendulum stroke. It is philosophical and as near be- 
ing mathematically correct as possible. But its gracefulness is 
questioned, and ladies are practically debarred from its use. 
There is also a one-handed stroke — made vertically — sometimes 
between the legs and sometimes outside of both. But the stroke 
is made in each position with the eye of the player directly over 
and in line with the desired movement of the mallet. 

PRINCIPAL POINTS IN PLAYING. 

The common experience of our most expert players points to 
the following as the chief points of excellence in play that 
should be aimed at even in the beginning of one's participation 
in this pleasant mode of physical exercise : 

First. — Striking a ball so as to make it hit another, be the dis- 
tance great or small. This will be a matter of acquisition on the 
part of most people. We have known the poorest hitters to 
develop by patient practice and perseverance into great ones. 
No progress can be made in the game unless one can make one 
ball hit another. The eye must be accurate, but both the eye 



44 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

and the hand need to be trained. The same accuracy is needed 
in the making of arches from any distance. 

Second. — Ability to cause a ball to go a certain distance, just 
so far and no further, e. g. : 

(a) To make it take position near to another ball. 
„ (b) To give it a position in front of its arch. 

(c) To wire it (if the danger ball) so that it can have no 
direct shot on a ball. 

(d) To put a ball beyond the open shot of a ball already wired. 
Third. — Ability to drive the object ball to any desired position 

To do this successfully requires the manifestation of the greatest 
skill. It wins games. To hit a ball full means driving it 
straight ahead, when force and fullness of stroke are desired, 
the former depending upon distance desired. Then, to make a 
ball pass to the right or to the left requires it to be struck in a 
certain way on account of angle or direction desired. 

Fourth — Closely allied is the so-called ' 'Jump Shot ' ' (see page 
65), i. e., making your own ball pass over another ball or over 
one or more arches, causing it to hit another, otherwise impos- 
sible to be * * captured. ' ' 

THE WICKETS, OR ARCHES. 

For beginners narrow arches would destroy interest and dis- 
courage effort. At the start the arches should be at least 4 
inches, and these can be replaced by more difficult ones as expert- 
ness in play increases. The wire should be at least one half 
inch in thickness, and to secure firmness should be driven into 
the ground at least ten inches, leaving tops about ten inches 
high. If blocks should be used it would mean, of course, greater 
fixedness. If tops are square they can be driven more readily 
into the earth. If no blocks are used changes in setting out the 
game are easily made, as the lawn becomes worn in some places 
by excessive use. 

THE BALLS. 

The balls may be of wood, but those of hard rubber are the 
most satisfactory. Though costing much more at the outset. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

they are cheapest in the end. The ordinary game for Tom, Die. 
and Harry will find a well-made wooden ball to be in keeping 
with their expertness, and later on, as general play increases in 
excellence, a better ball can be secured. 

THE STAKES. 
The stakes may be of any hard wood, about one and one- 
quarter inches in diameter set at the middle of the court just 
outside of the playing line and projecting above the court only 
an inch and a half, so as to allow a ball to be shot from in front 
of it in any direction. 

THE MALLETS. 

Here is opportunity for the display of taste and expenditure 
as well. At the beginning the mallets found in our ordinary 
equipment will be found to answer all purposes. The price list, 
however, shows varying qualities of excellence, and the expert 
player will always have his own mallet, his favorite, as a billiard- 
ist has his own cue, and so he takes it with him and deems it a 
decidedly individual asset, very rarely lending his own, and as 
rarely using the mallet of another player. These mallets are 
of great variety as to length of handle, length of head, diameter, 
weight, kind of wood, metal bands for protection, etc, etc. 

One end should be equipped with soft rubber, as this feature 
allows certain well-known shots or strokes to be performed with 
ease, which otherwise would be quite impossible. 

COLORS. 
The rules are made with reference to the four colors, red, 
white, blue and black. The first three are easily kept in mind 
as to their order, as they are the order as used in speaking of 
our national colors-the "Red, White and Blue." U the balls 
have not at time of purchase these colors they can easily be kept 
in fine coloring with little labor and expense. This is so de- 
sirable that we give here minute directions for painting balls. 
First, drive three 2-inch nails into each of four pieces of inch 



46 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

board, about four inches square, so that the projecting points 
will afford, when the blocks are upturned, a place to put the 
balls while being painted. Buy an ounce of Chinese vermillion, 
one ounce of ultramarine or Prussian blue, one ounce of lamp- 
black and four ounces of flake white, and one-half pint of ordi- 
nary shellac dissolved in alcohol. Take four old saucers, one for 
each color, and get four small varnish brushes. For white, red 
and black place a little of each color singly in a saucer and pour 
on it some of the shellac, mixing it with brush till it is thin 
and uniform; then paint the balls on their supports and they will 
dry very quickly. For a fine blue color place in a saucer some 
blue powder and with it some of the flake white, as the blue 
itself would be far too dark if not tempered with white. A 
little experience will give one fine colorings. Only a little 
powder is needed each time. The brushes must be kept in 
alcohol or water when not in use. If rubber balls are used no 
black color need be obtained, as the ball is black already. 

THE CLIPS, OR MARKERS. 
These will come with the equipment but will need painting 
occasionally in accordance with Rule 5, i. e., painted on one side 
in full and on the other in half. The manner and rules for 
affixing are also given in Rule 5. 

THE COURT. 

Any level lawn with grass closely cropped, y^'hich has a length 
of sixty feet and a breadth of thirty, will answer for a Croquet 
court. A court even twenty-five feet by fifty has been known 
to furnish great chance for pleasure and exercise. The court 
may be large or small, according to desire or amount of space 
to be had, but a court with larger dimensions than these first 
mentioned is not advisable. 

The simplest form is the rectangular with a good strong cot- 
ton twine for boundary limitations fastened by four substantial 
corner staples (see Rule 40). With the rectangular form, on a 
court 30 X 60 feet, the arrangement of the arches or wickets and 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 47 

Stakes may be as in the diagram opposite page 41. The size of 
court is optional. Each stake is set just outside the playing line 
half way between the end corners, the first arch eight feet from 
the boundary line and the second seven feet from the first— the 
side arches in line across the field with the second arch, and five 
feet nine inches from the boundary line. 

THE CENTER. 

The center arch may be single or double, and may be called 
also the cage or the basket. If double, the arches should be 
placed at right angles to all other arches and 18 inches apart, so 
that the ball in making the center arch will move in a direction 
across the field, instead of in the direction of its length, as with 
the others. 

The grounds, however, may be laid out in various ways. The 
Prospect Park (Brooklyn) Croquet Club, has a very peculiar 
form of court which any club, of course, is free to adopt. 

We have known grounds also to be elliptical in form. But 
while each club in many respects may be a law to itself, there 
is, nevertheless, much benefit to be derived from a uniform plan 
of doing things. 

In the placing of the arches there is also an opportunity for 
considerable variation. Our English cousins, who of late have 
given a great deal of attention to Croquet, place their arches 
widely different from the method employed in the United States, 
where uniformity generally prevails. This game is one in which 
we should much like to see an international uniformity, if pos- 
sible, as a basis for possible international competition for honors 
in this attractive outdoor pastime. 

[Note. The publishers are pleased to state that the English Rules 
have been constantly before our Supervising Editor, and wherever 
advantage could be gained in points or phraseology, he has felt fre« 
to make use of the same.] 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



TERMS USED IN CROQUET, WITH THEIR 
DEFINITIONS 



Ball in hand. — A ball that has roqueted another ball. 

Ball in play. — After a ball in hand has taken Croquet it is a ball 
in play. 

Bisque. — An extra stroke allowed at any time during a game. 

Bombard. — To drive one ball by Croquet so as to displace an- 
other. 

Boundary line. — The outside limits of the court. 

Carom. — A rebounding of a ball from stake, arch, or another ball. 

Combination. — The using of two or more balls to efifect some 
particular play. 

Croquet. — To* place one ball against another and play from it 
or with it any way. This is imperative after a roquet. 

Danger ball. — That ball of the adversary which is to be played 
next — "the guilty ball." 

Dead ball. — A ball from which or upon which the player has 
taken his turn since making a point It is then dead to all 
direct shots till he makes another point, or has another turn 
or play. 

Direct shot. — When the ball struck with the mallet passes direct- 
ly to another ball, or makes carom thereon from a stake or 
an arch. 

Drive shot. — A shot made so as to send the object ball to some 
desired position. 

Finesse.— To play a ball where it will be of least use to adver- 
sary. 

Follow shot. — When the playing ball in taking Croquet is made 
to follow the object ball in nearly or quite the same direction. 

Foul strike. — A false one — one at variance with the rules. See 
Rules 7, II, i6, 20, 31, 33, 44. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. ^^ 

Innocent ball. — The last played ball of adversary. 

Jump shot. — Striking a ball so as to make it jump over any ob- 
stacle between it and the object aimed at. 

Limits of the cage. — See Rule 53, and illustration opposite p. 64. 

Live ball. — A ball upon which the playing ball has a right to 
; play. 

Object ball. — The ball at which the player aims. 

Odds. — Extra stroke or strokes allowed by superior players to 
equalize playing. (See Bisque.) 

Playing line. — Line real or imaginary 30 inches inside of boundary 
line on which balls are placed for playing when they have 
passed beyond it or outside the boundary line. 

Run. — The making of a number of points in one turn of play. 

Scoring. — See Rule 6. 

Shot, or Stroke. — These have the same meaning. 

Split shot. — Any Croquet from a ball upon which a ball has 
counted. 

Set up. — A position of advantage secured by a player in the in- 
terests of his partner baH. 

Wiring. — ^To wire a ball is to place it so that it will be behind a 
wire (or arch), thus preventing an open or direct shot. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



CROQUET RULES 



[Note. — The following rules are adapted to the playing ot 
Loose Croquet. — A few notes will be found at the end after the 
rules.] 

INTERFERING WITH PLAYERS. 

RULE I. 
No player, or other person, shall be permitted to interfere 
with the result of a game by any word or act calculated to em- 
barrass the player, nor shall any one, except a partner, speak to 
a player while in the act of making a stroke. (See note to 
Rule I, p. 63.) 

ORDER OF COLORS. 

RULE 2. 
The order of colors shall be red, white, blue, black, but th< 
game may be opened by playing any color. 

MALLETS. 
RULE 3. 
There shall be no restriction as to kind or size of mallet used. 
One or two hands may be used in striking. For different strokes 
mallets may be changed as often as desired. 

RULE 4. 
Should a ball, or mallet, or stake, or arch break in striking, 
the player may demand another stroke, with another ball or 
another mallet, and stake or arch properly placed. 

CLIPS OR MARKERS. 

RULE 5. 
Every player shall be provided with a clip or marker of the 
same color as his ball, painted in full on ont side and on the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 51 

Other side only the upper half, which he must affix to his arch 
,iext in order in course of play, before the partner ball is played, 
with the full painted side- toward the front of the arch. Should he 
fail to do so his clip must be placed upon the arch upon which it 
was last placed and he must make the points again. Should he 
move his marker back of the point he is for, attention must be 
called to such error before the partner ball is played, otherwise 
it shall stand. Should a marker be moved beyond the proper 
point, it shall be replaced, provided attention is called to the 
error before the point upon which it rests is made. Should a 
player put a ball through its arch, he must move the correspond- 
ing clip to its proper arch before the next ball in order is played, 
otherwise the clip remains as before. No player shall lose any 
point or points by the misplacing of his clip by his adversary. 



OPENING OF GAME-SCORING. 

RULE 6. 
All games shall be opened by scoring from an imaginary line 
running through the middle wicket across the field, each player 
playing two balls of any color toward the boundary line at the 
head of the court. The player, the center of whose ball rests 
nearest this border line, shall have choice of first play and of 
balls, provided that, in scoring, the ball did not strike the 
boundary line, any other ball, or the stake. The balls shall 
then be placed on the four corners of the playing court ; partner 
balls diagonally opposite to each other, the playing ball and next 
in sequence to be placed on the upper corners, the choice o! 
corners resting with the playing ball and all balls being in play. 

BALLS-HOW STRUCK. 

RULE 7. 

The ball mt'jSt be struck \^ith the face of the mallet, the stroke 

being delivered whenever touching the ball it moves it. Should 

a stake or wire intervene the stroke is not allowed unless the 



52 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBEARY. 

ball is struck at the same time, and if the ball is moved, without 
being struck by the face of the mallet, it shall remain where it 
rests, and should a point or roquet be made, it shall not be al- 
lowed, except by the decision of the umpire as to the fairness of 
the shot. All balls thus moved by a false shot may be replaced 
or not at the option of the opponent, but no point or part of a 
point made shall be allowed. 

RULE 8. 
A ball roquets, or counts upon, another upon which it has a 
right to play when it comes in contact with it by a blow from 
the player's mallet, or rebounds from a wicket or a stake, also 
when it comes in contact with it when play is taken from another 
ball. 

RULE 9. 

When one ball thus roquets, or counts upon, another play 
must be taken from it. That ball is now dead. (See Rule 31.) 
After taking play from a ball and moving it, the player is en- 
titled to one more stroke. 

RULE 10. 
If a player in taking a Croquet from a ball, fails to move or 
shake it perceptibly such stroke ends his play, and his ball must 
be returned, or left where it stops, at the option of the opponent. 
He is not allowed to put his foot on playing ball. 

RULE II. 
When making a direct shot (i. e., roquet), the player must 
not push or follow the ball with his mallet; but when taking 
Croquet from a ball (two balls being in contact), he may follow 
his ball with the mallet; but must not strike it twice, give it a 
second impetus, or change the direction of the stroke. 

RULE 12. 

I'l a player strikes his ball before his opponent has finished 
his play, the stroke shall stand, or be made over, at the optiCHJ 
of the opponent. (See also Rule 58.) 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 63 

RULE 13. 
A player may lightly tap any ball on the top to jar the sand 
off, or to make it stay where it belongs, or may have any ad- 
hering substance removed before making his stroke. 

DIRECTION THROUGH WICKETS. 

RULE 14. 
In making all side or corner wickets the playing ball shall 
pass through them towards the center, not away from it. 

RULE IS. 

Should a ball rest against or near a wire, and the umpire, or 
other person agreed on, should decide that in order to pass 
through the arch, an unfair or push shot would have to be 
made, it shall not be allowed if made. 

(a) If a ball is in position or near any arch and the arch ig 
hit by any ball in proper movements of play, and the ball is dis- 
placed the displacing of such ball and of any other balls mud 
be accepted and any point or points made must stand. 

FOUL STROKE. 

RULE 16. 
Should a player in making a stroke move with his mallet or 
mallet hand any other than his object ball, it shall be a foul and 
his play ceases, and all balls moved shall be replaced as before 
the stroke, or remain where they rest, at the option of the op- 
ponent. 

RULE 17. 
If a dead ball (see Rule 31) in contact with another ball, 
moves on account of the inequality of the ground while playing 
the other ball azuay from it, the player does not lose his shot. 

(a) If a live ball is similarly situated and moves on account of 
the inequality of the ground when the ball in contact is played 
away from it, the playing ball shall not be regarded as having 
counted upon it. 



54 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

(b) If a ball, in proper course of play, rest against another 
ball, and in picking up the playing ball for the purpose of con- 
tinuing the play, the other ball moves on account of the inequal- 
ity of the ground, no attempt shall be made to replace it. [Note 
p. 63.] 

RULE 18. 
A ball must not be touched while on the field, except when it 
is necessary to place it beside the ball that has been hit for the 
purpose of playing from it, or to replace it when it has been 
moved by accident — except by permission of the opponent. [Pick- 
ing up wrong ball, therefore (Rule 62), ends play.] (See also 
Rule 13.) 

RULE 19. 
A player after making roquet shall not stop his ball for the 
purpose of preventing its hitting another. Should he do so his 
play ceases and all balls shall be replaced as before the stroke, 
or remain, at the option of the opponent. 



RULE 19. 
A player, in each turn of play, is at liberty to roquet any 
ti the ground once only before making a point. 



RULE 20. 
Should a player Croquet a ball he has not roqueted, he loses 
his turn, and all balls moved by such play must be replaced to 
the satisfaction of the umpire, or adversary. Should the mis- 
take not be discovered before the player has made another stroke, 
the play shall be valid, and the player continue his play. 

RULE 21. 
In taking Croquet from a ball, if player's ball strikes another, 
to which he is dead (see Rule 31), such stroke does not end his 
play, because it is not a direct shot. He is allowed to continue 
playing from the place where it stops. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 5p 

RULE 22. 

If a player roquets two or more balls at the same stroke, only 
the first can be Croqueted, or used. 

MARKING OF POINTS. 

RULE 23. 
A point is an arch or a stake. Therefore a player makes a 
point in the game when his ball makes an arch or hits a stake 
in proper play. (For Rovers, see Rule 57.) 

RULE 24. 

If a player makes a point, and afterwards at the same stroke 
roquets a ball, he must take the point and use the ball, unless 
he is dead to such ball (see Rule 45), and such ball is beyond 
the playing line. In that case his play ceases. (See note to 
Rule 24, p. 63.) 

RULE 25. 

Should the playing ball in making an arch roquet another that 
lies just through the arch, even if a dead ball, and then pass 
through it, the arch counts as well as the roquet. (See note to 
Rule 25; see also Rule 33.) 

(a) If any ball not dead be resting under an arch and not 
through it, and the playing ball being for that arch strike it and 
then pass through, the arch is not allowed but the roquet counts. 

RULE 26. ' 

If a ball roquets or counts upon another, and afterwards at 

the same stroke makes a point, it must take the ball and reject 

the point. 

RULE 27. 

A player continues to play so long as he makes a point in the 
game, or roquets another ball to which he is in play. 

RULE 28. 
A ball making two or more points at the same stroke, has 
only the same privilege as if it made but one. 



56 SPAIiDINQ'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

RULE 29. 
Should a ball be driven through its arch, even by adversary 
or against the turning stake by any carom, combination, Croquet, 
or concussion by a stroke not foul, it is a point made by that 
ball, and clip should be changed. (See Rule 5; for Rovers see 
Rule 57-) 

JUMP SHOTS. 
RULE 30. 
Jump shots, on account of harm to the lawn, may be forbidden 
by local ground rules, or by mutual arrangement of players. 

PLAYING ON DEAD BALL. 

RULE 31 
A dead ball is one on which a player has no rights or one he 
has taken Croquet from in that turn of play. 

RULE 32. 

If a player play by direct shot on a dead ball his play ceases 
and all balls displaced by such shot shall either be replaced in 
their former position, and the player's ball placed against the 
dead ball on the side from which it came, or, all balls shall rest 
where they He, at the option of the opponent. If driven off the 
field they must be properly placed. (See Rule 25; also latter 
part of Rule 24.) 

RULE 33^ 

Any point or part of a point or ball struck, after striking a 
dead ball is not allowed. It is a foul stroke. (See latter part 
of Rule 24; also Rule 25.) 

RULE 34. 
A player may drive another ball by roquet or Croquet, or his 
own ball by Croquet, against a dead ball and give it a point or 
position, or displace it, and the dead ball shall not be replaced, 
nor shall any other ball moved by the stroke be replaced. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 57 

BAIXS MOVED OR INTERFERED WITH BY ACCIDENT 
OR DESIGN. 

RULE 35. 
A ball accidentally displaced, otherwise than as provided for 
in Rule 16, must be returned to its position before play can 
proceed. 

RULE z^- 
If a ball is stopped or diverted from its course by an opponent, 
the player may repeat the shot or not as he chooses. Should 
he decline to repeat the shot, the ball must remain where it 
;tops, and, if playing ball, must play from there. 

RULE Z7- 
If a ball is stopped or diverted from its course by a player or 
his partner, the opponent may demand a repetition of the shot if 
he chooses. Should he decline to do so, the ball must remain 
where it stops, and, if playing ball, must play from there. 

RULE 38. 
If a ball is stopped or diverted from its course by any object 
inside the ground, not pertaining to the game or ground, other 
than provided for in Rules z^ and 27, the shot may be repeated, 
or allowed to remain, at the option of the player. If not re- 
peated, the ball must remain where it stops, and, if playing ball, 
plav from there. 

BALLS IN CONTACT. 

RULE 39. 
Should a p.ayer, on commencing his play, find his ball in con- 
tact with another, he may hit his own as he likes, and then have 
subsequent privileges, the same as though the balls were separ- 
ated an inch or more. 

RULES CONCERNING BOUNDARY. 

RULE 40. 
The boundary line is a strong cotton or other line extending 
around the field. The playing line is a line (imaginary or other- 



58 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

wise) two and one-half feet inside the boundary. This may be 
marked or not by chalk or by a smaller cord wired closely to 
the ground^ to allow a free stroke with the mallet. 

BALLS OVER BOUNDARY LINE. 

RULE 41. 

A ball shot beyond the playing line, or the boundary line, 
must be returned inside the playing line and in a direction at 
right angles to the side or end of court. It follows that a ball 
off the field at any point not on a right angle to the side of 
court or the end is placed on the corner. (See Rules 46, 47, 48.) 

(For full illustration see cut opposite p. 63.) 

RULE 42. 
A ball is in the field and properly placed when the whole ball 
is within the playing line. 

RULE 43. 
No play is allowed from beyond the playing line, except when 
a baU is placed in contact with another for the purpose of 
Croquet. 

RULE 44. 
If a player strikes his ball when over the playing line, he shall 
lose his stroke, and all balls (displaced by shot) shall be re- 
placed or left where they stop at the option of the opponent. 

RULE 45. 
If a player hit a ball beyond the playing line by a direct shot, 
his play ceases, and the roqueted ball is placed on the playing 
line from the point where it lay before being thus hit. The 
playing ball is brought in from its resting place to its proper 
place on the playing line. But if a ball off the field is hit from 
a Croquet, the hit shall not be allowed, the balls to be re- 
placed properly in the field from where they rest, and the play 
shall not cease. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. B9 

RULE 46. 
The first ball driven over the playing line and returnable at 
the corner must be placed at or within the corner of playing 
lines. 

RULE 47- 
If a ball, having been struck over the playing line, is return- 
able at the corner, another ball being on, or first entitled to, the 
corner, it shall be placed on that side of the corner ball on 
which it went off. 

RULE 48. 
If two balls, having been shot over the playing line, should ap- 
parently require the same position, they shall be placed on the 
line alongside of each other in the same order in which they 
were played ofif. 

BALL- WHEN THROUGH AN ARCH. 
RULE 49. 
A ball is through an arch when a straight edge, laid across 
the two wires on the side from which the ball came, does not 

touch the ball. 

BALLS-WHEN IN POSITION. 

RULE 50. 
If a ball has been placed under an arch, for the purpose of 
Croquet, it is not in position to run that arch. (See note. Rule 

50, on p. 63.) 

RULE SI. 
If a ball be driven under its arch from the wrong direction, 
and rests there, so that a straight edge laid against the wires 
on the side of the arch from which it came, fails to touch it, it 
is in position to run that arch in the right direction. If the 
straight edge touch the ball it cannot make the arch at the 

next stroke. 

RULE 52. 

If a ball shot through its arch in the right direction, not hav- 
ing come in contact with another ball, rolls back through or 



60 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

under that arch, so that a straight edge applied as in Rule 49 
touches it, the point is not made, but the ball is in position if 
left there. 

HITTING BALL WHILE MAKING WICKET. 

RULE 53. . 
The cage wicket may be made in one, two or many turns, pro- 
vided the ball stops within the limits of the cage, (See Ex- 
planation of Terms, and cut opposite p. 64.) 

RULE 54. 
Any playing ball within, or under a wicket, becomes dead to 
advancement through the wicket from that position, if it cooes 
in contact with any other ball by a direct shot. (See Rme 2$; 
also note to Rule 54 on p. 64.) 

ROVERS. 

RULE 55. 
,. A player becomes a rover when he has made all the points in 
regular order to the home stake. 

RULE 56. 
A rover has the right of roquet and consequent Croquet on 
every other ball once during each turn of play, and is subject to 
roquet and Croquet by any ball in play, but an opponent cannot 
put a rover out. 

RULE 57. 
Only a partner rover can put a rover out, and if one makes 
the other to hit the stake and then itself fails to hit, neither is 
out. A rover having been driven against the stake and over the 
boundary or playing line, must be properly placed to await the 
hitting of the stake by its partner. It cannot be moved from 
this proper placement to allow the partner ball to hit the stake. 
They must go out in successive strokes or both remain in play. 
(a) If a player become a rover by the stroke that causes a 
partner ball to become a rover, and possibly to hit the stake, the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. M 

partner may be regarded as out, provided the player desires to 
try the stake on the next stroke. If not, he may make any 
proper plays necessary to finish the game, as he is now alive on 
all balls. 

PLAYING OUT OF TURN. OR WRONG BALL. 

RULE s8. 
If a player plays out of his proper turn, or in his proper turn 
plays the wrong ball, and the mistake is discovered before the 
next player has commenced his play, all benefit from any point 
or pomts made is lost, and his turn of play is forfeited. All 
hii'ih moved by the misplay must be returned to their former 
position by the umpire or adversary. But if the mistake is not 
discovered until after the next player has made his first stroKC, 
the error must stand. (See Rule 12.) 

POINTS RE-MADE. 
RULE 59. 
If a player makes a point he has already made in that turit 
and the mistake is discovered before the proper point is made, 
the play ceases, with the shot by which the point was re-made, 
and the marker is placed at its proper point. All balls shall be 
left in the position they had at the time the point was re-made. 
If not discovered before the proper point is made, the points so 
made are good, and play proceeds the same as if no error had 
been made. (See also Rule 5.) 

ERROR IN ORDER OF PLAY. 

RULE 60. 
If an error in order is discovered after a player has struck his 
ball, he shall be allowed to finish his play, provided he is playing 
in the regular sequence of his partner's ball last played. In that 
case the error would belong to the previous player, but his play 
and any points made must stand. In case of dispute upon any 
point gt any time, it shall be decided by the umpire; if there is 



g2 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

no umpire, by lot. No recourse shall be had to lot unless each 
party expresses the belief that the other is wrong. 

CHANGING SURFACE OF GROUND. 
RULE 6i. 
A player, before or during his play, may require either arches 
or grounds or anything pertaining thereto to be placed in proper 
condition. 

PENALTY-GENERAL RULE. 

RULE 62. 
If a rule is violated, a penalty for which has not been oro- 
vided, the player shall cease his play. 



SFALiUING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



NOTES ON RULES 



Note to Rule i. — A notice conspicuously posted comprising the 
substance of Rule i will be of much service to spectators in 
keeping them in line with the strictest proprieties. The 
players should receive no benefit or harm from the conversa- 
tion of spectators, and no suggestion should ever be pre- 
sented by any spectator. 

Note to Rule 17. — It is evident that, if the court is perfect, 
playing away from another ball cannot possibly cause it to 
move. Hence the rule. 

Note to Rule 17b. — Suppose a (playing) ball to be in contact 
with a ball that is through its arch as a straightedge would 
show. If playing ball be removed for further use, and the 
other ball comes back to a position that allows it to be 
touched by the straightedge from its playing side, such ball 
is not through the arch. 

Note to Rule 24. — This latter part needs thought and attention. 
If a ball, though it passes through its arch, hits a ball beyond 
the playing line play ceases because of Rule 45. 

Note to Rule 25. — While this is not mathematically correct, the 
rule is so made to avoid disputes and difficult measurements. 

Note to Rule 50. — To place a ball "under an arch" (i.e., for 
the purpose of taking Croquet from another ball) means 
that if the arch should be pushed into the ground perfectly 



54 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

vertically the arch would touch a segment of the ball. If the 
ball could not be touched it would not be under the arch. 
Note to Rule 54. — This rule was made especially for balls at the 
center wicket, but is also applicable at single wickets. To 
illustrate: The playing ball, in passing into the double cen- 
ter wicket through the first part of it, hits by direct shot 
another ball. The player cannot place his ball against it and 
pass on through the wicket by a Croquet, but must re-enter 
the wicket. If, however, the playing ball enters the first 
arch from a Croquet j or split shot, and hits and remains in 
contact with a live ball, if no space is gained by placing it, 
it can by roquet both go through itself and also put this 
other ball through. 



CAGE UMITS SHOWN. 




^.' 



I 

A — Straight'edge doe* got 
touch Ball. Ball U without 
the cage Cmits. 
B-Stmght-edge touchea 
Ball. Ball if %yithm the 
taee 




JUMP SHOT 
SHOWN 





9 
9 

I 

I 

I 

I 

• 
t 
% 
% 
% 




o— 



» 4 




X 



i 
I 
I 

I 



A. B, C, D 

The Boundary 
Line. 



I 
I 

I 

¥"■ 

E, F, G, H 

The Playing 
Line. 



(1) A ball slopping at any 
point, as at 0, 0, 0, is placed 
as indicated just within the 
playing line, 

(2) A ball driven beyond the 
boundary line, as at P, P, p, 
is placed as indicated. 

(3) A ball resting at X,X,X. 
X,X, X, is placed at the 
comer of playing lines, as in- 
dicated at X^-. 

(4) If Iwo or three balls past 
off, as indicated by X, Y, Z, 
they are placed as shown, but 
in the order in which they 
went off. The ball passing off 
first is placed on comer. The 
others in order ; if at the right 
of projected diagonal C S, on 
side line; if at left, on end 
line as shown. 



P 



^ 



X 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRABX. 



OFFICIAL LAWS 
BRITISH CROQUET ASSOCIATION 



THE GAME. 

1. The game of Croquet is played between two sides, playing 
alternate ''turns" (Law 23), each side consisting either of one 
or of two players. Four balls, coloured respectively Blue, Red, 
Black, and Yellow, are played in the sequence named, one side 
playing Blue and Black, and the other Red and Yellow. When 
a side consists of two players, one partner plays throughout with 
one ball of the side, and the other partner with the other. The 
game is won by the side which first makes all its "points" in 
order (Law 15) subject to Law 22a. 

^ THE GROUND. 

2. The ground shall be rectangular, 35 yards in length by 28 
yards in width, within a defined boundary, which alone shall of 
necessity be marked by a continuous line. A flag shall be placed 
at each corner. The sides of an inner rectangle, parallel to and 
distant 3 feet from the boundary, are called the "Yard-line," its 
corners the "Corner-spots," and the space between the Yard-line 
and the boundary the "Yard-line Area." Portions of the Yard- 
line Area, 14 yards long, called Baulks A and B shall be defined 
as shown on the diagrams. A ball played from within a baulk 
may be placed on either of its inner boundaries, but must not 
overhang any of the boundary lines of the ground. 

Eight white pegs, not exceeding ^ of an inch in diameter or 
3 inches in height above the ground, shall be placed on the 
boundary, at distances of 3 feet from the corners of the bound- 
ary. The square yard formed at each corner by the two corner 
pegs, the corner spot, and the corner flag is called a "Corner 
Square." 



68 SPAIJ)ING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. V 

HOOPS AND PEGS. 

3. The hoops shall be of round iron, from ^ to % inch in 
diameter, and of uniform thickness. They shall be 12 inches in 
height above the ground, vertical, and firmly fixed. 

The crown shall be straight, and at right angles to the uprights 
which shall be from 3^ to 4 inches apart (inside measurement) 
from the ground upwards. 

The turning peg and the winning peg shall be of wood, of a 
•uniform diameter above the ground of i Vs inches. They shall be 
18 inches in height above the ground, vertical, and firmly fixed. 

No hoop or peg may be adjusted except by the umpire, or 
with the consent of the adversary. 

SETTINGS. 

4. The setting of the hoops and pegs shall be in accordance 
with one of the diagrams following, the order of making the 
"'points" being indicated by the arrows. 

In both settings each corner hoop is 7 yards from the two ad- 
jacent boundaries. In Setting No. i the two pegs and the two 
central hoops are placed along the central line of the ground at 
intervals of 7 yards. In setting No. 2 the turning peg is omitted, 
the winning peg is equidistant from the four corners, and the 
two central hoops are placed on the central line, 7 yards on each 
side of the winning peg. 

MALLETS. 

5. The head of the mallet shall be of wood only, except that 
metal may be used for weighting or strengthening it. The two 
end faces shall be parallel, of wood only, and identical in every 
respect. A player may not change his mallet more than once 
during a game, except in the case of bona fide damage. 

BALLS. 

6. The ball shall be 3^ inches in diameter, and of even weight, 
which shall be not less than 15^ oz. nor more than i6j4 oz. 

CLIPS. 

7. The hoop or peg next in order for every ball at the com- 
mencement of a turn shall be distinguished by a clip of a colour 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 6t 

corresponding with that of the hall. The clip shall be placed on 
the crown of the hoop until six hoops have been run by the cor- 
responding ball, and afterwards on one of the uprights. 

THE STRIKER, 
o. The player whose turn it is to play, or who has made any 
stroke called in question, is called the "Striker," and the ball 
with which he is or has been playing any particular turn is called 
the "striker's ball." Apart from the actual making of the stroke, 
the striker's partner has the same privileges (except as provided 
by Law 19) and is subject to the same penalties as the striker. 
If the players' cannot come to an agreement on any question of 
fact, the striker's opinion shall prevail, except as provided by 
Law 35. 

TAKING AIM AND THE STROKE. 

9. The striker shall be deemed to be "taking aim" when he 
has begun to put himself in position to strike a ball. A "stroke" 
is deemed to have been made if the striker "move" a ball with 
his mallet in taking aim, or if he make a forward or downward 
movement of his mallet with intent to strike a ball. A ball is 
deemed to have been moved if it leave its position and remain 
in another. A stroke is concluded as soon as all balls set in 
motion by it have either come to rest or reached the boundary. 

MARKING DIRECTION OF AIM. 
ID, No mark shall be made upon the ground, either within or 
without the boundary, for the purpose of guiding the striker in 
the direction or strength of a stroke ; anything placed or held for 
this purpose must be removed to the satisfaction of the adver- 
sary before the strllke is made. A breach of this law gives the 
adversary the option of having the stroke made again. 

CHOICE OF LEAD AND OF BALLS. 

II. The winner of the toss shall decide whether he will take 
the choice of lead or the choice of balls. If he take the choice 
of lead the adversary has the choice of balls, and vice versa. 
When a match consists of more than one game the privilege of 



70 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

deciding shall follow alternately. The side playing first may 
comtmence with either ball of the side. 

THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME. 

12. The first "turn" of each ball shall commence from Baulk 

"A." As soon as a stroke has been made with a ball it is "in 

play," and continues to be in play, except when "in hand" (Law 

17) or "off the ground" (Law 26), until it has made all its points 

in order. 

BALL IN POSITION FOR HOOP. 

13. A ball is "in position" for running its hoop either (i) If, 
whether in hand or not, it lie on the "playing side" of the hoop, 
or (2) If it has previously entered the hoop from the "playing 
side" and has not subsequently been clear of it or become "in 
hand." The "playing side" of the hoop is the side from which 
the ball has to run that hoop in order. 

A ball is deemed to be lying on one side of a hoop when it 
cannot be touched by a straight edge placed against the uprights 
on the other side. 

HOOP, WHEN RUN. 

14. A ball has "run" its hoop when, starting from position for 
that hoop, it has passed through, and finally come to rest on the 
non-playing side. 

In all cases the question must be decided without any adjust- 
ment of the hoop; should any player touch the hoop before the 
question is decided, the other side has the option whether the 
point shall be scored or not. 

A POINT. 

15. When a ball in play runs a hoop in order, or hits a peg 
in order, it is said to make a "point." The striker may make 
points for any ball (subject to Law 22), and may make any 
numiber of points in a single stroke. Whenever the striker makes 
a point for his own ball he shall make another stroke (subject 
to Law 20), unless that point be the winning peg. 

If, at the commencement of a turn, the striker find his ball 
lying in contact with a peg in order, he may, at his option, either 



Si'ALDlNG'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 11 

score the point without making a stroke, or play his ball in a 
direction away from the peg, in which case the ppint is not scored. 
A ball other than the striker's, lying in contact with a peg in 
order, cannot score the point. 

PLACING OF CLIPS. 

i6. In the absence of an umpire the striker is responsible, at 
the conclusion of his turn, for the correct placing of any clips 
which have been or should have been moved during that turn. 
Should he fail to place any clip correctly, and the adversary in 
consequence make any stroke or strokes under a misapprehen- 
sion, he shall be entitled to make again any such stroke or strokes, 
provided tKat he claim to do so before the commencement of the 
subsequent turn. 

Should the players be unable to agree as to the correct position 
of any clip, its actual position at the time shall be taken as 
correct. 

ROQUET AND BALL IN HAND. 

17. The striker makes a "roquet" when his ball in play hits 
another ball in play, provided that since he last "took croquet" 
from that ball, he has either made a point for his ball or com- 
menced a fresh turn. On making a roquet the striker's ball im- 
mediately becomes "in hand," and remains so until "croquet" 
is taken (subject to Law 20). A ball displaced during a stroke by 
a ball in hand shall not be replaced, and any point made for a ball 
so displaced shall be scored. Should a ball in hand be touched 
by an adversary before the stroke is concluded, the striker may 
make the stroke again. 

BALLS ROQUETED SIMULTANEOUSLY, ETC. 

18. If the striker roquet two or more balls simultaneously he 
may "take croquet" from whichever he chooses ; he may not take 
croquet from any other such ball until he has roqueted it again. 
If the striker roquet a ball and hit a peg in order simultaneously, 
he may choose whether he will take croquet or score the point. 



72 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARlf. 

TAKING CROQUET. 

19. The striker, when he has roqueted a ball, shall "take 
croquet" by placing his ball, or causing it to be placed by his 
partner, in contact with the ball roqueted (see Law 30), and with 
that ball only, and then making a stroke. In making the stroke 
he must move or shake perceptibly the croqueted ball, or a ball 
in contact with it other than the striker's ball. Should he fail 
to do so the turn ceases, the balls shall remain where they lie, 
and any points made by such stroke shall not be scored. Should 
the striker, if challenged, be unable to assert definitely that he 
himself saw the required movement, the croqueted ball shall be 
deemed not to have been perceptibly moved or shaken. The 
striker shall not place his foot on either ball while making the 
stroke. If, before the stroke is concluded, the striker's ball 
again hit the croqueted ball, a roquet is deemed not to have been 
made, even though the striker's ball has made a point. After 
taking croquet the striker shall make another stroke (subject 
to Laws 20 and 22). 

CROQUET-STROKE AND BOUNDARY. 

20. When the striker takes croquet: — (i) If the striker's ball 
be sent off the ground (Law 26) without making a roquet the 
turn shall cease; (2) If the croqueted ball be sent off the ground 
the turn shall cease, and in this case, if a roquet be made by the 
striker's ball, both it and the ball roqueted shall remain where 
they lie (subject to Law^s 26 and 29). 

In either case any points made (see Law 15) shall be scored. 

HOOP AND ROQUET IN SAME STROKE. 

21. If the striker's ball, being in position for running its hoop, 
pass between the uprights, and in the same stroke, while still in 
play, hit a ball lying on the non-playing side, finally coming to 
rest on that side, the hoop is run and a roquet made. But unless 
the ball hit be lying on the non-playing side, the hoop is not 
scored if a roquet be made. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. IB 

ROVER AND PEGGING OUT. 

22. A ball which has made all its points in order except the 
winning peg is called a "rover." 

When a rover scores the winning peg in order, it is said to 
be "pegged out." 

The striker must remove from the ground a ball pegged out. 
Should he continue his turn without doing so, the adversary may 
require him to make again the stroke immediately following the 
omission. 

The striker cannot peg out a ball, other than his own, unless 
his ball be a rover at the commencement of the stroke. Should 
the striker peg out a rover by roqueting it, his turn shall at once 
cease. 

A ball in play displaced by a ball pegged out shall remain 
where it comes to rest (subject to Laws 26 and 29), Any point 
made for a ball so displaced shall be scored. 

TIME LIMIT AFTER PEGGING OUT. 
22a. — When one or more balls have been pegged out the game 
shall be deemed to be finished at the expiration of one hour from 
the time at which the first ball was pegged out, whether the turn 
is concluded or not, but the striker may first play a stroke for 
which he has already begun to take aim when time is called, and 
any point made by such stroke shall be scored. The side which 
has then scored the most points shall win. If the points are equal 
when time is so called, the side which, at the completion of that 
or a subsequent turn, has scored the most points, shall win. 

THE TURN. 

23. A "turn" consists of a concluded stroke or a succession of 
such strokes. A turn begins when the striker has begun to take 
aim for the first stroke of that turn, or has moved a ball with 
the intention of commencing a turn. In every turn the striker 
may roquet each ball before .making a point, and may do so 
again after each point made for his own ball. 

Whenever the striker scores a point for his own ball, or makes 



74 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

a roquet, or takes croquet, he shall continue his turn (subject to 
Laws 20 and 22). 

All strokes made after the conclusion of a turn by the player 
of that turn (except with the evident intention of playing a 
bisque), and all strokes made at any time by a player playing 
instead of an adversary, are null and void. Any balls displaced 
by such strokes shall be replaced. 

Should the striker, at the commencement of his turn, be in 
doubt as to which ball he ought to play, he is entitled to be in- 
formed by the adversary. If misinformed he may, at any time 
before the adversary plays, recommence the turn. 

BALL LYING IN A HOLE. 

24. A ball lying in a hole, other than one on a corner spot, 
must not be moved without the sanction of a Referee. The 
striker may move a ball lying in a hole on a corner spot pro- 
vided that it be his own ball or in contact with his own ball. 
When moving such ball the striker may place it just clear of the 

hole, in the line of aim. 

WIRING. 

25. The striker's ball is said to be "wired" from another ball 
if (i) Any part of a peg or an upright would impede the direct 
course of any part of it towards any part of the other ball; or 
(2) Any part of a peg or hoop so interferes with any part of the 
swing of the mallet that the striker cannot drive his ball freely 
towards any part of the other ball. The mere interference of a 
hoop or peg with the stance of the striker does not constitute 
wiring. 

If at the commencement of a turn, by the decision of an um- 
pire or the admission of the adversary, the striker's ball be wired 
from all the other balls, the striker, provided that it was placed 
in its present position by the stroke of an adversary, may lift it 
and play it from that baulk which he, the striker, may select. 

BALL OFF THE GROUND. 

26. A ball is said to be "off the ground" when any part of it, 
at the conclusion of or during a stroke, touches or overhanp^s 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 7I 

the boundary, or touches a corner peg or flag. When a ball in 
play is sent off the ground the striker shall at once place it on 
the yard-line directly opposite to the point on the boundary first 
reached by it (except as provided by Law 2"]^. All balls so 
placed are called "yard-line balls," and any ball in contact with a 
yard-line ball becomes itself a yard-line ball. If any other ball 
or balls already on or near the yard-line interfere with the cor- 
rect placing of a ball sent off the ground, the striker shall place 
the ball sent off on the yard-line, in contact with any one of such 
balls, and they and the ball so placed shall be deemed to be in 
contact with one another. 

CORNER BALLS. 

27. When a ball in play is sent off the ground within 3 feet of 
a corner, or comies to rest within a corner square, the striker 
shall at once place it on the corner spot (except as provided by 
Law 29.) If it cannot be so placed the striker shall place it on 
the yard-line, as near as possible to the corner spot. All balls 
so placed are called "corner balls," and any ball in contact with a 
corner ball becomes itself a corner ball, and all corner balls at 
one corner shall be deemed to be in contact with one another. 
In cases of doubt under Law 2(i a ball which has touched a cor- 
ner peg shall be treated as a corner ball. 

BALLS IN CONTACT. 

28, If the strikers ball in play be in contact with one or more 
balls, a roquet (counting as a stroke) shall be deemed to have 
been made, and the striker shall take croquet from one of such 
balls at his option. 

If the striker's ball be one of two or more corner or yard-line 
balls in contact, the striker may take croquet from any one of 
such balls at his option. Before doing so he may place all such 
balls in any position, provided that, in the case of corner balls, 
one be placed on the corner spot, and in the case of yard-line 
balls, one be placed on the spot which one of them originally 
occupied; and provided also that every such ball be placed in 
contact with one of the others, all being in contact. 



18 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



SETTING No. 1. 



to 



00 J 

CM 



CM 



c- 



N- 



o-J 



14 



2S 



BAULK B 




BAULK A 



14 



^ 



28 



Scale 1 : 360, or one-tenth of an inch to a yard. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



SETTING No. 2. 



s 



VMM 28 

I 



BAULK B 




BAULK A 



14 



21 



28 



Scale 1 :360, or one-tenth of an inch to a yard. 



78 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

In all cases the striker shall take croquet off any ball which 
he may have actually roqueted. 

BiALL IN YARD-LINE AREA. 

29. A ball in play in the yard-line area shall at once be placed 
on the nearest point of the yard-line, as in Law 26, and becomes 
a yard-line ball. But if such ball be the striker's ball during a 
turn, the striker shall play it from where it lies. 

BALL NOT CORRECTLY PLACED. 

30. If the striker make a stroke while any ball (including his 
own ball), which might have either obstructed the striker or been 
moved by the stroke, is not correctly placed, the adversary, un- 
less such ball was' incorrectly placed by himself, may require the 
balls to be correctly placed and the stroke to be made again. 

BOUNDARY, ETC., INTERFERING WITH STROKE. 

31. If the striker find that the height of the boundary, or of 
any fixed obstacle outside it, is likely to interfere with his stroke, 
he may, to the satisfaction of the adversary, move his ball, and 
any other ball likely to be affected by the stroke, sufficiently to 
allow a free swing of the mallet. In so doing he must move his 
own ball along the line of aim, and the relative positions of any 
other balls so moved must be maintained. Any ball so moved, 
and not displaced by the stroke, shall at once be replaced. 

BALL DISPLACED. 

32. (a) Should a ball at rest be moved accidently by the 
striker (except in striking or in taking aim), or by an adversary, 
it shall be replaced without penalty. 

(b) Should a ball in play, when moving, be touched by an ad- 
versary, the striker shall elect whether he will make the stroke 
again, or whether the ball shall remain where it came to rest, or 
be placed where in his judgment it would, but for such interfer- 
ence, have finally comle to rest; but no point or roquet not ac- 
tually made shall be claimed as the result of such stroke. 

(c) Should a ball at rest be removed by any agency outside 
the match, it shall be replaced. "^ 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 79 

(d) Should a ball in play, when moving, be interfered with by 
any agency outside the match, the striker may make the stroke 
again. 

(e) Should a ball at rest make a point not due to the action of 
the striker, the ball shall be replaced and the point shall not be 
scored. 

PLAYING WITH A WRONG BALL, OR OUT OF TURN. 

S3. If before the four balls are in play the first stroke of any 
turn be played with a ball in wrong sequence, such stroke and all 
subsequent strokes in any turn are null and void, provided that 
the error be announced before the fifth turn of the game is com- 
menced. In all other cases, if the striker play with a wrong 
ball, or if a player play instead of his partner, he shall be ad- 
judged to have made a foul (Law 34), provided that the error 
be announced before the commencement of another ordinary turn. 
Should more than one stroke have been played with a wrong 
ball, or out of turn, before the error is announced, the balls 
shall be replaced as they were after the first stroke in error was 
made, and the adversary shall then exact the penalty for a foul. 

If the players be unable to agree as to the position the balls 
were in after the first stroke in error was made, the striker's 
opinion shall prevail (Law 8). 

On the error being announced after another ordinary turn has 
been commenced, all points made during the erroneous turn shall 
be scored, except points made for any ball by an adversary's ball 
wrongly played with ; and unless the player commencing the next 
ordinary turn has continued the sequence of balls and players 
which would have been in order if the error in the previous turn 
had not occurred, he shall be adjudged to have played with a 
wrong ball, or out of turn, and in this case the balls shall be 
replaced and the turn recommenced without penalty. 

FOULS. 
34. If the striker make a foul his turn shall at once cease, and 
any point made during the stroke in which the foul occurred 
shall not be scored. Balls moved by such stroke shall either re- 



80 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

main where they come to rest or be replaced, at the option of 
the adversary. A foul cannot be claimed after a fresh ordinary 
turn has been commenced. 

In addition to the cases provided for by Law 33 the striker 
makes a foul if he — 

(a) Hit his ball with any part of the mallet other than an end 
face of the head, in mlaking a stroke; or hold the mallet 
otherwise than by the shaft only; or cause or attempt to 
cause the mallet to hit the ball by kicking or striking the 
mallet. 

(b) Touch with the mallet or unlawfully move a ball other 
than his own ball, in taking aim or in striking. 

(c) Push or pull his ball, when taking croquet, without first 
striking it audibly or distinctly, 

(d) Push or pull his ball, when not taking croquet, whether he 
first strike it audibly or not. 

(e) Strike his ball twice in the same stroke, unless such ball 
be in hand. 

(f ) Take croquet from two balls simultaneously. 

(g) Touch a ball when in play and moving except with his 
own ball in hand when in the act of striking. 

(h) Allow a ball when in play and moving to touch him, or 
his mallet, or his clothes, except a rover rebounding from 
the winning peg when pegged out. 

(k) Move his ball, when making a stroke, by striking a peg 
or a hoop without striking the ball. 

(1) Make a stroke after a roquet without taking croquet. 

(m) Strike his ball so as to cause it to touch a peg, or an up- 
right of a hoop, while still in contact with the mallet, and 
while still in play. 

(n) Strike his ball, when lying in contact with a peg, or an up- 
right of a hoop, otherwise than away from that peg or 
upright. 

(o) Move a ball in play intentionally in a manner not pro- 
vided for by the Laws. In this case the ball or balls 
moved must be replaced. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. gl 

BISQUES. 

35. A "bisque" is an extra turn (see Law 23) given in a game 
played under handicap. A "half-bisque" is a restricted bisque 
in which no point can be scored for any ball. The giver of odds 
shall keep a record of the bisques played. In the event of any 
dispute his decision on this point shall, in the absence of an Um- 
pire, be final. 

(a) The striker may play a bisque or half-bisque to which he 
may be entitled, either immediately after concluding his or- 
dinary turn, and with the same ball, or immediately after 
concluding a bisque in which he has not made a roquet or 
scored a point for his ball ; but he may not play a bisque 
immediately after a half-bisque. 

If the striker was entitled to play either a bisque or a half- 
bisque, he shall be adjudged to have played the bisque, 
unless before commencing the extra turn he has an- 
nounced his intention of playing the half-bisque. 

(b) If the striker, at the conclusion of his turn, definitely an- 
nounce in reply to an adversary that he does not intend 
to play a bisque, his option of playing it thereby ceases. 

(c) If the striker, before the conclusion of his ordinary turn, 
purport to play a bisque, he shall be adjudged not to have 
played it, the balls shall be replaced without penalty, and 
the ordinary turn shall be continued. 

(d) If the striker, after concluding a turn with the right ball, 
make a stroke of a bisque with a wrong ball, the bisque 
shall be adjudged to have been played, and the penalty 
under Law 33 shall be exacted on the bisque turn. 

(e) If the striker, after concluding an ordinary turn with a 
wrong ball without the error being announced, commence 
a bisque with that ball or the right ball, the bisque shall 
be adjudged not to have been played, and the penalty un- 
der Law 23 shall be exacted on the ordinary turn just con- 
cluded. 

(f) The adversary, by forfeiting 3 bisques, may at any time 
after the first stroke of the striker's turn declare such turn 



82 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

to be at an end; such declaration shall be made before the 
striker has commenced to take aim, but after a roquet has 
been made forfeiture cannot be declared until croquet has 
been taken. 

UMPIRES. 
36. Either side may claim that an Umpire, agreed on by the 
two sides, be appointed for any part of a game. The Umpire's 
opinion on all questions of fact or replacement shall in all cases 
override the striker's. 
The dufies of an Umpire are : — 

(a) To draw attention to any breach of the Laws, deciding, 
whether appealed to or not, all questions of fact. 

(b) To move the clips, or to see that they are properly moved. 

(c) To adjust hoops and pegs in accordance with Law 3. 

ERRORS NOT PROVIDED FOR. 

.V- Except as provided in these Laws, no errors or omissions 

can be claimed after the next ordinary turn has commenced, or 

after the game has been concluded, or after all the players have 

left the ground in the belief that the game has been concluded. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 33 



Alternative Laws 



When the game is played under the following "Alternative 
Laws,"' or either of them, the preceding Laws shall be interpreted 
accordingly. 

PLAYING WITH EITHER BALL OF THE SIDE. 

A. The Game of Croquet is played between two sides, play- 
ing alternate '"turns" (Law 23), each side consisting either of one 
or of two players. Four balls, coloured respectively Blue, Red, 
Black and Yellow, are played in the sequence named, one side 
playing Blue and Black and the other Red and Yellow. After 
they are all in play any ordinary turn may be played by either 
ball of the side. When a side consists of two players, one part- 
ner plays throughout with one ball of the side, and the other 
partner with the other. The game is won by the side which virst 
makes all its "points" in order (Law 15 and Law 22a'). 

Law 25 is applicable to both balls of a side. 

DOUBLE DEAD BOUNDARY. 

B. After the first stroke of a turn, if any ball, except a ball 
in hand, or a yard-line or corner ball, be sent' off the ground 
(Law 26), the turn shall at once cease, but this Law shall not 
apply to the striker of the partner ball of a ball pegged out. 



COPY REGULATION. 
The Committee of any Tournament shall have the power to 
notify in their programme that all or any of the Events shall be 
played under both or either of the "Alternative Laws" A. and B. 



84 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



APPROXIMATE SCALE. 



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